The only Lotte rookie who ‘passed the 1st camp’… ‘The 2nd Lee Jung-hoo’, “Pro life, it’s not easy”

There is a player who is attracting attention in the Lotte Giants camp this year. The player is the only rookie to pass through the first camp and head to the second camp.

The main character is Kim Min-seok (19), a beast who is attracting attention as the ‘second Lee Jung-hoo’. On the 20th, the Lotte team headed for Ishigaki, Japan, where the second campsite is located through Incheon International Airport. Among them was Kim Min-seok.

Kim Min-seok, who met with reporters before leaving the country, expressed his feelings about participating in the first professional camp, saying, “I came to the pro and saw the seniors’ training and routines, and I felt that they were definitely different.”

Kim Min-seok, who was nominated as the 3rd overall pick in the 1st round by the Lotte Giants this year, is a rookie with great potential for growth, although he is still unfinished. His defense still has a lot to improve, but his batting talent is highly expected.

Kim Min-seok’s career record in high school was a batting average of 3.992, 86 hits, 4 home runs, and an OPS of 1.122 in 59 games. Especially in his senior year, he was dominant with a batting average of 5.4, 4.37, 20 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.508 in 20 games.

Everyone pays attention. He joined the Guam camp with high expectations in many ways, such as being dispatched to the 2022-2021 Australian Professional Baseball Geelong Korea, and became the only rookie to go to the second camp in Japan. In 20 games with Geelong Korea, he recorded an OPS of 0.611 with a batting average of .235, 16 hits, 1 home run and 3 steals.

However, there are still many players to improve on. He has that much potential, but he needs to develop his defense. His position has not been decided yet. The coaching staff is also contemplating whether to put them in the infield or outfield. For this reason, Kim Min-seok is carrying several gloves.

He said, “(During the first camp), I used a lot of outfield gloves,” and “I also trained second baseman, but outfield training was more important than infield training.” In high school, he was a shortstop. However, he has to accept reality coldly on the professional stage. He has no competition.

I am gradually adapting. He said, “(Outfield defense) was difficult at first. He has a hard time judging the batted ball. I think we should play a game first.” 메이저놀이터

It’s not easy, but I’m learning and feeling a lot. “The first three days of camp were really hard. Still, he is gradually adapting and feeling it a lot. He seems to have prepared well.”

Regarding the fact that he is called ‘the second Lee Jung-hoo’, Kim Min-seok said, “I think it’s because the school is the same. It’s not a big burden, but I’m good,” he said with a laugh. Will he be able to follow in the footsteps of Lee Jung-hoo after graduating Whimoon Middle School and Whimoon High School? Expectant player Kim Min-seok said, “I feel that (professional life) is not easy.” I want to become a ‘one team’ with my seniors and add strength to win.”